Neck tie protector and restraint

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a protective cover and restraint method for neck ties (apparel) to assist in the prevention of stain and soilage to the neck tie, and to help control the movement of said neck tie when the wearer of said neck ties engages in activities that may present an opportunity for such a neck tie to be soiled, stained, or fall in the path of harm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Neckties have been worn as a fashion accessory for many years. Though they can be an attractive accent to an ensemble, they can become exposed to situations where they can become stained or soiled; sometimes these stains may be permanent. An example of such a situation is dining. Current laundering and dry cleaning methods have yet to be perfected whereby a necktie can be returned to its original purchase form after being cleaned. With the rising costs of neckties, the soiling of a tie can be an expensive accident. Some examples of methods for avoiding stains on neck ties include tucking the neck tie into the shirt between buttons, flipping the neck tie over a shoulder, tucking a napkin in the collar of a shirt to drape down over the tie, or removing the neck tie altogether. While these methods of avoiding neck tie stains can sometimes be effective, they may not offer the wearer a choice to follow etiquette protocol, or maintain a fashionable appearance, and others still expose parts of the necktie to possible staining. New methods for preventing neckties from becoming stained are needed.

[0002] Another scenario that gave rise to the need of a tie protector and restraint is when ties are used in hazardous environments where a tie can become entangled in a piece of equipment and/or machinery. A protective cover and restraint for a neck tie may offer two benefits: a) prevent the tie from swinging into harm's way; b) should a person wearing a tie protector be in a situation where their neck tie was in harm's way, the hazard (perhaps a piece of machinery) may grab only the tie protector, leaving the neck tie (and wearer) unharmed.

PRIOR ART

[0003] Several inventions for tie “fasteners”, “restrainers”, and “controls” have resulted in a single mechanism to prevent a tie from swaying far from the chest of the wearer. These include: CIPO CA457613: Jun. 28, 1949, Rents; Albert John - “Tie Holder for Shirts” CA455467: Mar. 29, 1949, Sawinski; Stanley - “Tie Control” CA392267: Oct. 29, 1940, Auslander; Sol & Max - “Tie Fastener” CA432330: Jan. 1, 1946, Walker Morden; Harley - “Clip and Retainer for Neckties USPTO 5,813,053: Sep. 29, 1998, Pileggi; Vincent J. - “Self Restraining Necktie” 6,131,200: Oct. 17, 2000, McNamara; Brian L. - “Simplified Tie Restraint” 5,815,836: Oct. 6, 1998, Jacobson, II; Julius H. - “Method and Apparatus for Restraining a Necktie” 5,802,678: Sep. 8, 1998, Puente; Joe A. - “Non-Penetrating Tie Restraint Device” 5,715,538: Feb. 10, 1998, Soll; David B. - “Method for Securing a Necktie to a Shirt” 6,163,933: Dec. 26, 2000, Smith - “Tie Retaining Device”

[0004] While effective in preventing a tie from moving too much, they neither offer soilage protection, nor a more safe way of preventing the necktie itself from being caught or pulled into danger's way. The tie protector can be pulled away from a necktie if enough force is applied, thereby possibly preventing the necktie itself from becoming entangled in a dangerous situation.

[0005] Another patent offers the ability to cover the knot of a necktie: USPTO D420,201: Feb. 8, 2000, Azharet et al. - “Tie knot Cover”

[0006] This invention neither offers full protection of the remaining exposed tie from being soiled, nor the security that tie protector offers as mentioned in the above paragraph.

[0007] For soilage protection, bibs have been introduced for both adults and children as a means to protect clothing: USPTO D436,430: Jan. 23, 2001, Merrifield; Lynne - “Bib for Adult”

[0008] While effective in protecting the entire front of a person, inclusive of a necktie, they may not allow their wearer a choice to be fashionable. The tie protector offers a fashionable appearance, following the general shape of a tie.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The tie protector is a new invention. There are no directly comparable products that serve the function of covering a necktie to protect it from being soiled. The main purpose of the invention is to cover the necktie to discourage it from becoming soiled, or damaged in a fashionable way.

[0010] In the drawings, which form part of this specification,

[0011]FIG. 1 is a vertical and frontal illustration of one possible design shape of the tie protector;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a vertical, rear angle view, illustrating the bottom pocket design in an unfastened state, and also demonstrating one possible pocket closure method and a possible tie knot attachment method;

[0013] FIGS. 3(a) through 3(d) are vertical illustrations of one method of attaching the tie protector to a necktie.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The tie protector is made of flexible fabric, plastic, or other suitable material (herein referred to as “material) so as to offer comfort for the wearer, and to offer protection to the necktie and optimal management of the necktie's movements. The front of the tie protector is comprised of one piece of material that covers the entire front of a necktie (including the knot). It will be manufactured to accommodate a wide variety of necktie sizes and styles. The tie protector may or may not follow the formal traditional necktie shape. A width and length allowance exists so as to offer allowances for variation in tie manufacturer's tie dimensions, as well as offer an overhang allowance to ensure that the sides of the necktie are less exposed to stains. The front piece of material attaches at the sides to two rear panels of material that meet and close at a center back seam. The two back panels cover from the bottom tip of the tie to approximately ⅓ up towards the knot of the tie, and fasten, thereby creating a pocket. A fastener located at the top, back of the tie protector attaches the tie protector to the knot of the necktie, securing the tie protector to the necktie. 

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. The design of a cover for a necktie for the purposes of protecting a necktie covering the basic parts of a tie that can be exposed to soilage (front, knot, and front and back of the tip of the tie); protection may be from stains and soilage, but also from being caught in things;
 2. Pocket design;
 3. Attaches and detaches without removing the necktie;
 4. Supports itself by attaching to the necktie;
 5. Could be either disposable or recyclable;
 6. Can be customizable or not;
 7. Can be used for promotional use through the application of logos and company markings;
 8. May offer a “one-size-fits-all” design;
 9. May fasten with a hook, clip, loop, or wrapping method.
 10. Can be provided in novel shapes (e.g. for festive occasions);
 11. Tie movement and management (or restraint) system. 